Transposing plate



May 1o, 1960 2,936,330

C. ROSENVOLD TRANSPOSING PLATE Filed July 24, 1957 l United States j Patent TRANSPOSING PLATE Carl Rosenvold, Minneapolis, Minn.

Application July 24, 1957, Serial No. 673,903 s Claims. (cl. 114-147) This invention relates to transmission line equipment and more specifically relates to a transposing device for communication lines and the like.

An object of my invention is to provide a new and improved line transposing device of simple and inexpensive construction and operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel line transposing device onto which the lines to be transposed may be readily and easily applied, and then securely held in predetermined relation to eachother.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an improved transposing plate constructed so that when the plate is properlyroriented with respect to a line under sorne tension, the line will slip into proper position to be gripped and guided by the plate.

YA further object of my invention is the provision of a new and novel line transposing device which may be employed for transposing at mid-span or on the pole and which, when one ofthe lines breaks, will prevent damage to the other unbroken line.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a novel ktransposing plate which is constructed so as to substantially preclude the possibility of kinking or sharply bending the line at or adjacent to the point of transposition. v i

'NA still further object of my invention is the provision L of an improved transposing plate which is of symmetrical arrangement so as to permit transposition of the lines'in either right over left, or left or right relation. 4

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the followingY description made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer tothe same or similar parts throughout the several views and iniwhich: j

` Fig.y l is a perspectiveview of thev transmission line transposing device;

Fig. 2y`is a top plan view of the transposing' device shown'with one of the retainer plates removed;

Fig. 3 isa side elevation view of the line transposing device which is shown partly in section, substantially at 3 3. in Fig. 2;. Y Fig.k 4 is a detail section view taken on a substantially vertical plane as indicated at 4-4 in Fig. 2; and a Fig.`5 is a sectionv View taken substantially at 5-5 in Fig. 2.

, One form of the invention is shown in the drawings and is describedherein. The transposing device or plate isindicated in general by numeral 10. The transposing device includes a base plate 11, anda plurality of retainer or Wing plates 12, 13, 14 and 15, all of which are constructed of a rigid insulating material, which, inthe form shown, may comprise a molded fiber glass and rosin material which has high dielectric properties and which is substantially non-porous so as to preclude absorption of any moisture. The base plate 11 is sub- 'stantially circular butsfor nomenclature purposes, the plate 11 has opposite end portions 11a and 11a', op-

2,936,330 Patented May 10, 1960 er ICC i posite sides 11b and 11b' and upper and lower faces 11e and 11e. The portions 11a and 11a are described as end portions because the transmission lines to be transposed are received from the directions of these end portions.

The base plate 11 has a plurality of elongated and outstanding abutments 16, 17, on the upper face 11C and also has a pair of elongated and outstanding abutments 18 and 19 on the lower face 11c. The abutments 16-19 are identical in shape and are all generally elliptically shaped and are oriented transversely of the base plate 11 whereby the end portions of the abutments extend toward the opposite sides 11b and 11b of the base plate. Because the abutments 16-19 are identical in shape, a description of the pair of abutments 16 and 17 on the upper face 11e will suilce.

The abutments 16 and 17, which are disposed in sideby-side but spaced relation to each other, denne upright and smoothly contoured shoulder surfaces 16a and 17a around the entire periphery thereof. The inner sides 1611 and 17b of the abutments have inwardly convergent and substantially linear portions 16C and 16d, 17e` and 17d extending generally obliquely or diagonally across the base plate 11. The shoulder surface 16v and the linear shoulder surface 17d are in substantially end-to-end alignment with each other but are oiset from each other bythe approximate thickness of a transmission line.l

Linear shoulder surfaces 17c and 16d are similarly oriented in relation to each other.

The retainer plates 12, 13, 14 and 15 overlie the abutments 16, 17, 18 and 19 respectively and are somewhat larger than the abutments so as to dene adjacent peripheral edges thereof, line-receiving and guiding channels or grooves as at 20. It will be noted that the retainer plates 12-15 are similar in shape to the abutments 16-19. The retainer plates are provided with grooves 21 extending around the outer periphery thereof and in the line-receiving channels 20 to provide ra dry path area between the transmission lines or conductors to be applied to the transposing device. Y i

The retainer plates 12--15 are provided, at their inner sides, with inwardly projecting shoulder portions` 22 having shoulder-positioning engaging surfaces 23 oriented identically to the linear shoulder surfaces 16e and 16d of the abutment r16 and the corresponding shoulder surfaces ofthe other abutments. The shoulder portions 22 onthe retainer flanges also have grooves or channels 24 formed therein for receiving a transmission line therethrough, wherein the transmission line will be clamped against the shoulder surface (such as 16e) and against the upper face 11e' of the base plate. In the form shown,

the 4shoulder portions 22 of the retainer plates are engageable with the face of the base plate 11. The outer ends of the grooves or panels 24 communicate with the line-'receiving channels 20, substantially at 25 as indicated in Fig. 2.

Adjacent the ends of grooves 24, 'the retainer plates 12-15 have flared camming surfaces 26 which are in vconverging relation with the faces of the base plate 11 so as to effectively flare the channel 20 to provide for lifting of the retainer plates 12-15 oif the base plate 1l as a transmission line is laid on the face of the Ybase plate and moved transversely against the retainer plate and thereby cause the shoulder portion 22 of the retainer plate to raise ol the vbase plate 11 into the dotted position B (Fig. 4) and thereby permit the transmission line to slip beneath the shoulder portion 22 into the groove or linereceiving channel 24 and against ythe shoulder surface, such as 16C. Means are provided for securing the retainer plates 12-15 to the base plate for clamping the transmission lines in the grooves 24.v `Such means include aligned apertures 27 in the base plate and retainer plates and bolts 28 extending through the apertures and secured as by nuts 28a.

The inner ends of the grooves or channels 24 in the retainer plates open through the shoulder portions 22 as at Z9.

At the center of the base plate 11 is provided a deformity or line-crimping projection 3i) which is smoothly rounded and which is received into the open ends of the channels 2d as indicated at 29. The line in the groove or channel 24 lies flat on the top face llc of the base plate 11 and at the point of emergence from the channel 74, and at the point of crossover to the other retainer plate, the transmission line passes over the deformity 3i) and is crimped slightly.

The retainer plates 12-15 and the base plate 11 have enlarged, generally oblong or elliptical aligned openings 31 therethrough which effectively define handle or gripping portions 31a adjacent the opposite end portions 3io adiacent the opposite end portions 11a and 11a and the outer peripheries of the retainer plates so as to facilitate manual rotation of the transposing plate 1th about its axis in a manner hereinafter fully set forth when the transmission lines are being applied thereto. Of course the openings 31 also provide the further advantage of decreasing the weight and decreasing the wind resistance of the transposing device.

The transposing device lll is provided with means for mounting the same on the cross arm of a transmission line tower or pole. Such means comprise outstanding bosses $2 and 33 formed integrally with the base plate 11 at the opposite sides thereof. Openings 34 are provided in the bosses 3f. and 33 for receiving bolts therethrough for attachment to the pole cross arm.

Operation The transposing device 1t) is exceedingly Well adapted for use in my topographical plan of communication transmission line plant installation as is fully set forth in my copending application for U.S. Letters Patent iiled October 8, 1954, S.N. 461,123 and entitled Telephone Line Suspension Method and Apparatus wherein the transmission lines are supported by poles, but are not affixed to the poles so as to permit longitudinal movement of the transmission lines past the poles and thereby allow one or more spans of the line to be taken to the ground by a falling tree or the like without causing breakage of the line. When the transposing device is used in such type of plant installation the transmission lines to be transposed are securely clamped to the transmission lines so as to prevent any relative movement between the lines.

It should also be understood that the transposing device 10 is also readily and easily applicable to the vold type of telephone line plant installation wherein transmission lines are aixedly tied to pole cross arms at the end of each span. When the transposing device 10 is to be installed, the nuts 28a are loosened so as to loosen the retainer plates 12-15 sufficiently so that one of the retainer plates held by each of the bolts 28 may be raised off the base plate 11 approximately into the dotted position B shown in Fig. 4. One line of the two-wire transmission line will pass across the top face 11C of the base plate 11 and the other line will pass across the bottom face 11C. It will be noted that the transmission lines may be transposed in right over left, or left over right relation.

In preparation for application of the transposing device 10, the transmission lines may be suspended from adjacent poles to approximately waist' levelrso that the workmen can work from the ground.

'4 posing device will be approximately midway between the ends of the span.

In one instance, the first line L to be applied will be laid across the transposing device between the retainer plate 12 and the bo-ss 32 and between the retainer plate i3 and the boss 33. The plate 19 will then be manually gripped by the handle portions 31a and turned slightly in a countercloclrwise direction so as to cause the line L to lie against the camming surfaces 26 of the retainer plates 12 and 13 which causes the retainer plates to rise the pia-.te l1 and allow the line L to pass beneath the shoulder portions 22 and into the groove or channel 24 and against the abutment shoulder surface 16d and 17C. The line L thereby passes in a straight line obliquely or diagonally across the base plate 11 from one side portion 1lb to the other side portion 11b thereof. lt is to be noted that the abutment shoulder surfaces 16d and 17C, and the grooves 2d are linear, which allows the transmission line L to readily and easily properly seat itself in the groove or channel 12,4 without necessitating any manual manipulation of the wire. The linearity of the grooves 21-, is important because the wire commonly used in telephone transmission lines is constructed of steel and is exceedingly stiff. A wire frequently used is l2 guage steel, 190,000 p.s.i. tensile strength, with the modulus of elasticity being two inches per thousand feet. Of course, when the line L slips into position in the grooves 24 it must pass over the deformity 3i) which, has the effect of retaining the line in the groove 24 until the retainer plates 12 and 13 are tightened.

When the second line M is to be applied to the transposing device, the transposing device is turned over so that the line M may overlie the other face 11c' of the base plate 11. t should be remembered that the abutment 18 has linear shoulder surfaces 18C and 18d which are disposed immediately beneath shoulder surfaces 16a` and 16d respectively and in the planes therewith; and the abutment 19 also has linear shoulder surfaces 19t.` and 19d disposed immediately beneath shoulder surfaces 17C and 17d respectively and in the same planes therewith. It may be visualized that the lines L and M, as suspended are substantially parallel and that after the transposing device 10 is flipped over about the axis yof line L, and the relative position of the transposing device 1i) and line M will be changed so that the line M overlies the transposing device, the line M may extend approximately between the boss 32 and the retainer plate 14, and between the boss 33 and the retainer plate 15.

It is .desired that the line M should extend between the retainer plate 14 and boss 33 and between the retainer plate 1S and the boss 32 as it is slipped into operative position. To facilitate this positioning of the line M, the transposing device is turned in a clockwise direction almost 180 degrees and `about the axis of the base plate 11 which extends normal thereto. As the transposing device is turned in a clockwise direction, the line L Ibears against the shoulder surfaces 16d and 17C and tends to curve around the smoothly rounded peripheral shoulder surfaces 16a and 17a, but because of the stiffness of the wire, the wire will not closely follow the contour of the abutments 16 and 17 at this time. The line L willbend quite gradually adjacent the transposing device and when the line M is in alignment with the linear shoulder surfaces 18C and 19d, the line L will have an S-shaped curve therein.

When the transposing device 10 has been lturned sutilciently, the transposing device will be lifted slightly so as to cause the line M to lie on the base plate 11 adjacent the shoulder surface portions 18a` and 19d. The trans- In this positionfthggo posing plate will then be rotated slightly about .its axis transmission lines have some tension, but also have con- \"in\a\counterclockwise direction so as to cause the vline M siderable slack which may be used. The transposing device will be applied to the transmission line in such a position so that when the lines are subsequently pulled taut and properly sagged between the poles, vthe transso as to permit the fline M to slip eneathlthe shoulder to engage-thefhired surfaces 26 of the retainer plates 14 and .15, thereby ming t\he retainer plates 14 and 15 to be raised slightly oi the fac'effllc' .of the base plate .11

grooves 24. As previously described, the line M will slip into the `groove 24 witltout manual ymanipulation of the line M.

It will be understood that as the line M is being slipped into position, a substantial force is being exerted by line L on the transposing device tending to turn the transposing device in a counter-clockwise direction, and when the transposing device is released from the workmans grip, the line L will turn the transposing device approximately 90 degrees in a counter-clockwise direction and the lines will Hip the transposing device over so that it is oriented in the original, substantially horizontal position with the face 11e uppermost.

In this condition, it will be visualized that the lines L and M approach theptransposing device over one end portion 11a thereof, the line L being disposed on the face 11a` and adjacent the side 11b, and the line M being disposed on the face 11e' adjacent the side 11b. The lines L and M then extend diagonally across the base plate 11 to the other sides 11b and 11b respectively of the base plate and then outwardly away from the other end portion 11a.

The retainer plates 12--15 will then be tightened onto the base plate 11 causing the lines L and M to be clamped into the grooves 24 and causing the lines L and M to be clamped over the deformities 30. The lines L and M are thereby immobilized with respect to each other at the point of transposition and are held at the proper spacing relative to each other at the mid-span location.

The tension on the span of transmission line will then 4be increased so as to raise the span and the transposing device and properly sag the span. When the lines L and M are tensioned and properly sagged, the lines will follow the rounded contour at the opposite ends of the abutments 16 and 17 and at the opposite ends of abutments 18 and 19 because the tension on the line will cause the bending of the wire around these relatively small arcs of curvature.

When the transposing device 10 is used in the old type plant installation wherein the end of each span of the line is atlixed to the pole cross arm, it is not essential that the retaining plates clamp down on the lines because it is unlikely that substantially greater tension will be exerted on one line than on the other.

In certain plant installations, it may be desirable that the transposition should be accomplished at the pole. In this case, the transposing device 10 is mounted on the pole cross arm by inserting bolts through the openings 34 in the bosses 32 and 33 and aixing the bolts to the cross arms. The transposing device will again be mounted in a horizontal position. When the transposing device is used in this fashion, it will be aixed to the cross arm before the lines are applied thereto. Blocks may be used for properly sagging the span adjacent the pole and the lines may be threaded in the manner described through the transposing plate. The retaining plates 12-15 will be clamped down on the lines before the blocks are removed therefrom.

It is well to note the reaction on the transposing device 1t) when disposed midway between the ends of a span and when one of the lines L or M breaks at some position between the transposing device and an anchoring point for the line. It should be remembered that each of the lines L and M, because of their offset relation as they extend diagonally across the transposing device, exert equal and opposite forces on the transposing device tending to turn the transposing device about its axis normal to plate 11 in opposite directions. If the line L should break, the forces exerted on the transposing device tending to rotate the same are unequal and as a result, the tension on line M causes line M to tend to straighten out thereby turning the transposing plate approximately 90 degrees on an axis normal to the base plate 11. In addition, the transposing plate 10 will flip upwardly into vertical orientation whereas previously and normally the transposing plate 10 is horizontally oriented; When the transposing plate 10 rotates through the ninety degrees, the line L remains in clamped condition on the transposing device or plate 10 and is wrapped around the smoothly contoured peripheral shoulder surface of one of the abutments without being sharply bent at any location. t

It has been determined, in the testing of the transposing plate comprising the present invention, that the leakage between the conductors on the transposing plate is exceedingly low. In fact, the leakage under wet weather con` ditions veryy nearly approximates the leakage under dryweather conditions. It will be noted that the lines L and M have a very substantial physical separation from eachV other. Because the transposing plate is normally oriented in a substantially horizontal position, there is always a at, downwardly facing surface which has little tendency to become wetted so as to always provide a dry path between the conductors.

It will be seen that I have provided a new and improved transmission transposing device which is readily and easily applicable to a pair of transmission lines without necessitating manual manipulation of the lines, by merely orienting the transposing device in proper position and manipulating the transposing device to slip the line into proper position, and then rotating the transposing device on its own axis until properly oriented for slipping the other line into its proper line-receiving groove or channel on the opposite side of the transposing device from the first line.

It will further be obvious that I have provided a novel transmission line transposing device which is extremely simple in construction and whereby all of the removable parts thereof are interchangeable `and wherein the symmetrical arrangement facilitates transposing the transmission line in either left over right or right over left relation.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, detail, arrangement and proportion of the parts without departing from the scope of my invention which consists of the matter described herein and set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A devicefor transposing transmission lines, cornprising a body member having opposite sides, opposite end portions, and upper and lower portions, said body member having means receiving a pair of lines on the upper and lower portions respectively adjacent one end portion and at opposite sides and guiding the lines across to the other sides adjacent the other end portion, said body member having deformities on the upper and lower portions thereof and underlying the lines, and releasable means clamping the lines to the body member and crimping the lines at said deformities whereby to irnmobilize the transposing device in relation to the line.

2. A device for transposing transmission lines, comprising a generally horizontal base plate having opposite sides, opposite end portions, and upper and lower faces, each face having a pair of outstanding abutments thereon respectively disposed adjacent the opposite end portions and respectively defining adjacent the opposite sides of the plate, upstanding shoulder surfaces, each surface facing inwardly from its respective end portion and each being disposed in substantial alignment with the shoulder surface of the other abutment in a direction obliquely across the face of the plate, said shoulder surfaces respectively bearing against opposite sides of a line laid therealong, and said shoulder surfaces being smoothly curved in convex contours toward their corresponding end portions, the direction of alignment of the shoulder surfaces on the upper face being transverse to the direction of alignment of the shoulder surfaces on the lower face, and means on the upper and lower faces of the base plate clamping the lines against said shoulder surfaces, whereby to immobilize the lines in relation to each other adjacent the point of transposition.

3. A device for transposing transmission lines, comprising ya generally horizontal base plate having opposite sides, opposite end portions, and upper and lower faces, each face having a pair of generally elliptical outstanding abutments respectively disposed adjacent the opposite end portions and adjacent each other, said abutments extending toward the opposite sides of the plate, said abutments having outer sides adjacent the end portions of the plates and having inner sides adjacent each other, the inner side of each abutment having generally convergent and substantially linear shoulder surfaces, each shoulder surface being disposed in substantial end-to-end alignment with a surface of the adjacent abutment whereby to bear against the opposite sides of a line extending obliquely across the plate from one side to the other, and means for clamping the line against said linear shoulder surfaces along substantially the entire length thereof.

-4, A device for transposing transmission lines, comprising Aa generally horizontal base plate having opposite sides, opposite end portions, and upper and lower faces, each face having a pair of elongated and smoothly rounded abutments thereon extending between the sides of the plate and being respectively disposed adjacent the opposite end portions and adjacent each other, said abutments having outer sides adjacent the end portions and having inner sides adjacent each other, the inner side of each abutment having generally convergent and substantially linear surfaces, each shoulder surface being in substantial end-to-end alignment with a shoulder surface of an adjacent abutment whereby to bear against opposite sides of a line extending obliquely across the plate, and a plurality of retainer plates each overlying a respective abutment and having inwardly projecting line-clamping shoulder portions engageable with the linear shoulder surfaces of the abutments and having grooves therein adjacent each shoulder surface and receiving and clamping the line against the corresponding shoulder surface and against the face of the plate, and means securing the retainer plates to the base plate.

5. The invention set forth in claim 4 and said retainer plates each having, adjacent the opposite sides of the base plate, a camming surface divergently ilared toward the side of the base plate whereby a line laid between the abutments will engage said camming surfaces to lift the retainer plates and slip beneath against the abutments of the base plate.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,043,754 Johnson June 9, 1936 2,135,344 Johnston Nov. 1, 1938 2,138,571 Dehmel Nov. 29, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,128,165 France Aug. 20, 1956 

